Totasi
Known in full as "Totasi-ga-Glisharek", Totasi is the native language of the Kastek people.
Because Kastek-ga-Glisharek primarily communicate telepathically, their words and language is most commonly used without any kind of sound at all. However, since Kastek telepathy networks operate on a system of passing messages through many members at a rapid pace, like a system of relays, the messages must still be put into the form of language. While one Kastek could send feelings, emotions, or other non-linguistic forms of telepathy to another Kastek, the complexity of such a message would become swiftly muddled and indecipherable after even two or three relays.
Writing System
Totasi does have a standard written form that is able to be used with traditional writing implements, but it is very rarely utilized, only being necessary for communication with non-Kastek individuals, or for communications between Kastek that are not part of the same Spire, or otherwise shut off from their Spire's telepathic network.
Nearly all communication between members of the same colony is performed telepathically. The colony-wide telepathic network eliminates a need for written communicae, and even allows for psychic information storage. Information that would be as long as entire encyclopedia's if written out can be easily logged in the telepathic network, meaning that even libraries are very rare sights in Kastek society.
Phonology
In its spoken form, Totasi is limited in phonology by the mouth structure of the Kastek themselves. Because Kastek-ga-Glisharek do not possess lips, there are no labial sounds of any kind in their language. The structure of their vocal folds and mouth favor heavy use of velar sounds, with velar plosives in particular seeing frequent use. The result of the combined phonology of Totasi and their oral capabilities results in a language that sounds choppy, harsh, and limited by most humanoid standards. These limitations spill over into other languages when spoken by Kastek, though they are capable of speaking an approximation of them.
| Frequent | Common | Uncommon | Rare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consonants | k, g, ng, gl, θ, t | s, n, d, dg, z, | r, l, ch, x, sh | q, y, w |
Morphology
Totasi makes heavy use of root words and compound nouns, with most words having a clear etymological origin elsewhere in the language. The structure and homogeny of Kastek culture has allowed much of the language to resist any kind of cultural shift, due to the language being closely related to a standardized telepathic code. The language isn't immune to shift over time, though, and some words do become more distinct from their origins.
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